A Conversation

Chapter 8: A Conversation

Seeing Captain Liu arrive, his demeanor suggested that the young man had some connection to the County Magistrate.

This meant the Moon Wolf Gang had picked a fight with the wrong people.

However, while they disliked the Moon Wolf Gang's unreasonable bullying, they didn't hold the county yamen in high regard either.

If the Moon Wolf Gang's leader, Chen Kang, was a wild wolf with erratic behavior, then the County Magistrate was a cold, venomous snake, appearing friendly on the surface while secretly plotting to swallow you whole after emptying your stomach.

A wave of sighs went through the crowd.

They felt a bit of pity for the young man's future.

Upstairs in the inn, in a private room.

A young man stood by the window, looking out at the street. He saw Lu Zhaojin leave with Captain Liu and the others, and a flicker of surprise crossed his hawk-like eyes.

Lu Zhaojin seemed to sense something and suddenly turned back to look, but only saw an empty window.

He frowned slightly, having just felt a probing gaze.

Captain Liu noticed Lu Zhaojin's reaction and followed his gaze, seeing no one else. He couldn't help but ask, "Young hero, did you leave something upstairs? I can send someone to retrieve it."

Lu Zhaojin withdrew his gaze and shook his head, "No."

He glanced at his blood-stained clothes, both new and old, with a tear on his chest. "However, before I attend the banquet, I need to change into a new outfit."

Captain Liu saw this and agreed that wearing his current attire to see the County Magistrate would indeed be impolite. "That's easy. I know a shop with a skilled tailor. I'll take you there... you won't have to pay."

The last part was his true intention.

Lu Zhaojin looked at him. "No need, I have money."

Captain Liu forced a smile and said no more, leading the way.

In that private room.

The young man hadn't expected Lu Zhaojin to be so perceptive, able to pinpoint the source of his gaze with just a glance. He couldn't do that before... It's been a while since I returned to Shiqiao Town. Once I get that century-old blood ginseng from the mountain and break through to Seventh Rank, I'll go home and visit.

The young man watched Lu Zhaojin until he disappeared from sight. His gaze then shifted to the majestic mountain peak. He narrowed his eyes slightly, spun the ring on his index finger with his left hand's two fingers, and was determined to obtain the blood ginseng.

Clothes make the man, as the saying goes.

Lu Zhaojin changed into a black martial arts outfit and re-combed his hair, making him appear neat and sharp.

Moreover, the handsome young man reflected in the full-length mirror looked not only presentable but also possessed an extraordinary aura.

This attracted the gazes of the women browsing for silk and fabric in the shop, who secretly admired him with longing eyes.

Lu Zhaojin ignored their glances, paid, and walked out of the shop. Captain Liu, who was waiting outside, was secretly astonished by the transformed young man but was too tongue-tied to offer any praise.

A short while later, Captain Liu brought Lu Zhaojin to the inner residence of the Zhao family.

In the main hall, there was a round table laden with mostly precious dishes, such as bear paws and bird's nest, along with some items Lu Zhaojin couldn't identify, but they were likely not cheap.

There was no one else in the hall except for a middle-aged figure.

This person was naturally Zhao Huaishui.

He wore a blue long gown and had a smile on his face, giving off a feeling of warmth, but his eyes were like a deep pool, impossible to fathom.

Zhao Huaishui rose to greet him. "Young hero, please be seated quickly. Today, I specifically sent someone to invite the chef from Chunfeng Tower. These are all his specialties, incredibly delicious, and a true delicacy of our Qishan County."

During this, he subtly glanced at Captain Liu.

Captain Liu, standing behind Lu Zhaojin, subtly shook his head, then cupped his hands and retreated, "County Magistrate, I'm going to patrol."

Zhao Huaishui saw this, his eyelids lowered, lost in thought.

Lu Zhaojin did not sit but simply looked at him.

He wondered what Zhao Huaishui was up to.

However, while changing clothes, he had used the experience points gained from killing Mu Zhuo to upgrade the Golden Body Technique, officially reaching the introductory level.

[Experience: 69]

He hadn't measured his strength in jin, but his entire body was now truly as hard as bronze. He might not be able to defeat a Seventh Rank martial artist, but they wouldn't be able to do anything to him either.

Zhao Huaishui picked up the wine pot and was about to pour wine for Lu Zhaojin. "Today's banquet is to thank young hero for saving Nuanyu's life. Please don't blame Nuanyu for not being able to toast you personally; her injuries are quite severe, and she still needs rest and cannot drink alcohol."

He sighed wistfully and continued, "Her mother passed away early. Nuanyu was raised by me from a young age. If anything were to happen to her again, I, as her father, would be inexcusable and would have no face to see her mother in the afterlife."

Lu Zhaojin listened, feeling a slight touch of emotion, but that was all. He didn't have the leisure to chat with Zhao Huaishui about family matters, especially since his predecessor's father was still in trouble on the mountain.

So, he raised his hand to block the wine pot and spoke frankly, "Thank you for your kindness, Magistrate Zhao, but I don't drink. Furthermore, I have no debt of gratitude with Zhao Nuanyu; it was merely a transaction. Those two cultivation techniques were the reward. With the techniques in hand, the deal is settled. This meal today was actually unnecessary."

Lu Zhaojin said seriously, "If you have nothing else, County Magistrate, I will take my leave."

Lu Zhaojin turned to leave.

Zhao Huaishui suddenly spoke, "Do you know why the Sihai Escort Agency was annihilated by the Zhang family?"

Lu Zhaojin paused and looked back at him, "Why?"

This was indeed the point that made him feel suspicious.

Zhao Huaishui spoke a name, "Because of Xu Huan."

Lu Zhaojin looked into his eyes, "Why should I believe you?"

Although it was their first meeting, Zhao Huaishui gave him the impression of being a deeply cunning person.

Lu Zhaojin's feeling was not wrong.

Today, he had instructed Captain Liu to secretly inform Mu Zhuo to find Lu Zhaojin. Regardless of the outcome, Zhao Huaishui would not lose.

If Mu Zhuo died, it would weaken the Moon Wolf Gang.

If Lu Zhaojin was oppressed by Mu Zhuo and Captain Liu stepped in to help, he would gain Lu Zhaojin's trust and be better able to use him.

He just didn't expect that Mu Zhuo would be killed so easily by Lu Zhaojin, without any power to resist.

But it also showed that Lu Zhaojin was a sharp blade, clean and efficient in killing, but one also had to be careful not to cut oneself.

Therefore, when the blade is in one's hand, it needs a sheath.

Zhao Huaishui chuckled, "Whether you believe me or not is up to you to judge. However, Xu Huan once had a personal grudge against your father. I don't know the specific reason."

Lu Zhaojin frowned, maintaining a skeptical attitude towards Zhao Huaishui's words, but then he heard Zhao Huaishui continue, "Xu Huan once came to me. His goal was simple: to make the Sihai Escort Agency cease to exist... I did not agree."

Then what happened last night, the Zhang Family and the Zhao Family colluding to slaughter the Sihai Escort Agency, occurred.

In the fragmented memories of his previous life, Lu Zhaojin found no mention of Xu Huan by Lu Jinlin. He had no impression of the person at all, so this matter required further investigation.

Lu Zhaojin asked, "Do you know who this Xu Huan is?"

Zhao Huaishui shook his head, "Xu Huan's identity is not simple. He is a strategist by the Third Prince's side, and he has the cultivation of the Seventh Rank."

Lu Zhaojin didn't expect the matter of the Sihai Escort Agency to involve a prince. However, those who deserved to die would eventually die, regardless of whether it was sooner or later, or their status.

At the same time, he didn't have much of a good impression of Magistrate Zhao in front of him.

So, after learning about Xu Huan, Lu Zhaojin did not stay long in the Zhao family's inner residence and took his leave.

Not long after he left.

Captain Liu returned, "My Lord Magistrate."

Zhao Huaishui tapped his fingers on the table, his eyes deep, "This child probably has a great secret. It's not as simple as opening the acupoints. I fear he will be difficult to control. After he helps me eliminate the Zhang Family and the Zhao Family, you will secretly take action to kill him."

Captain Liu recalled the scene he saw at the inn and felt a bit of fear in his heart. So, he hesitated and said, "My Lord Magistrate, why not let the young lady try to interact with him?"

Zhao Huaishui snorted coldly, "He's just a mayfly."

Captain Liu said no more.